Prince Philip has sent an apology letter to a woman who suffered a broken wrist in his Jan. 17 car crash near the royal family’s Sandringham Estate.

“Dear Mrs. Fairweather,” Philip, 97, began the note, which Emma Fairweather, 46, provided to the Sunday Mirror. “I would like you to know how very sorry I am for my part in the accident at the Babingley cross-roads.”

“I have been across that crossing any number of times and I know very well the amount of traffic that uses that main road,” the Duke of Edinburgh continued.

Queen Elizabeth‘s husband went on to explain that “the sun was shining low over the main road,” adding, “in normal conditions I would have no difficulty in seeing traffic coming from the Dersingham direction, but I can only imagine that I failed to see the car coming, and I am very contrite about the consequences.”

“I was somewhat shaken after the accident, but I was greatly relieved that none of you were seriously injured,” he wrote, mentioning the 28-year-old driver who suffered cuts to her knee and her 9-month-old baby in the backseat, who was uninjured.

Philip explained the timing of his departure from the scene of the accident, writing, “As a crowd was beginning to gather, I was advised to return to Sandringham House by a local Police Officer.”

“I have since learned that you suffered a broken arm,” he added in the letter published by the Sunday Mirror. “I am deeply sorry about this injury.”

Philip also wished Fairweather a “speedy recovery from a very distressing experience.”

Fairweather went on to tell the Sunday Mirror how much she appreciated Philip’s note.

“I thought it was really nice that he signed off as ‘Philip’ and not the formal title. I was pleasantly surprised because of the personalised nature,” she said, adding, “He’s tried to give an explanation so I appreciate that, whether I agree with it or not.”

Fairweather has previously denied that it was sunny on the day of the accident, telling Great Britain’s This Morning that she remembered the weather being “miserable and overcast.”

“I don’t remember it being sunny that day. I would never want to put myself in a position where I would say that the Duke is not being honest. But I do not recall that that day was sunny. That’s all I can say. That’s not the day that I had,” she remarked.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Manage Push Notifications

If you have opted in for our browser push notifications, and you would like to
opt-out, please refer to the following instructions depending on your device and
browser. For turning notifications on or off on Google Chrome and Android
click here, for Firefox
click here, for Safari
click here and for Microsoft's Edge
click here.